I don't do cake as a business just for family and friends. I guess most of us that don't do this for a living think we would love to because we love doing cakes or baking in general. I am curious as to how many hours that those of you that do run a bakery or cake business spend per week. I am sure there are months that are much busier than others but in general how many hours? Excuse me if this has been asked multiple times before.

I, too, would like to know if it's possible to open a shop and not KILL yourself working for the first 2-3 years.

Well, let's see...10 to 12 hours a day 6 days a week...60 - 72 hours a week. I feel like I am slacking if it is down to 50 hours a week....some have been 80+ hours.

Don't think it is easy!

Edit: Two more things...been doing this for 14 years.

Record: 36 hours straight...went in at 7 AM om Friday and did not leave until 7 PM Saturday night.

I'm guessing not....Early morning hours....long decorating hours, and weekend delivery hours.

Thanks, Leah. I've been figuring at least 60 hour weeks. I really want to start my own business, but, being in CA, I have to jump in with 2 feet. I think I'll be waiting a few more years. I really don't want to make that kind of time commitment with 2 little kids at home. I figure I'd learn a lot from just working in someone else's shop for a while, too. Sigh. Someday.

I manage a bakery/donut shop. Besides myself I have 2 other f/t decorators, a f/t baker, a f/t donut maker and a p/t closer. With all that being said I am still there 56-62 hrs a week. But that is not all "caking" There's paperwork, ordering, employee related stuff, schedules and not to mention the ever ringing phone.

Thanks for the replies. Thought that might be the answer from most of you. Those that work legally from home, do you also put in that many hours? How do you have time for anything else?

60 -70 hours a week is an average week. The last day I had off was Christmas, and my husband works the same kind of hours, but we are a pretty big operation..

I feel like I have slowed down. It was always 70 - 80 hours a week. After about 6 years it went to 70, then 60, now it is 50 - 60, except when I take a day off here and there and it actually gets to 40 occasionally during the winter.

Now, it just takes so much time to RUN the business. I don't decorate very much any more. I could have had 1000's of pictures in the gallery at one time. Now, I only do 3 or 4 custom cakes a week most weeks. I have a FABULOUS staff.

I own a shop and it is just me doing it all. I do all cakes on order but I do other cake beside decorated cakes. I try to take Mondays off, that doesn't always happen. I work 5 - 6 days a week 10 - 12 hour days. Depends on the day, later in the week longer the days. It is hard work, but I do love what I do.

Leahs. I can see your love to stay busy. Now I know why you are able to reply and be involved so much on CC with a lap top in your kitchen. That is a big help. Let me say this to all of you that do this for a living, thanks so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to be on CC and respond with advice and ideas. You are what helps make this site work so well. Hats off to all of you . OK, hat's on.